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Driving While Suspended Hurts Hardship License Chances

suspended license can hurt your chances of getting a hardship license from either the Registry of Motor Vehicles or the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal. The Board members believe that driving on a suspended license shows a lack of respect for the law and the Board of Appeal has interpreted this as evidence that the hardship license applicant is not ready to resume driving. Even in cases where an appellant has a strong need to drive, the Board may still deny hardship relief. It is for this reason, that it is important to respect your license suspension and not be caught driving while under suspension, especially in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts police officers are equipped with sophisticated technology to detect drivers whose licenses are under suspension. They use automatic license plate readers and a computerized database of drivers whose licenses are under suspension. The police computer systems can automatically query vehicle license plates and check the license status of registered owners. If the owner’s license is suspended, the police are allowed to stop the vehicle to see who is driving. Thus, without committing any motor vehicle violations, you can be stopped and arrested for driving while suspended. This can severely impact your chances of getting a hardship license, the issuance of which is by no means guaranteed.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no right to hardship license. Instead, courts have considered the issuance of hardship licenses “extraordinary relief” and the Superior Court affords the Board of Appeal substantial deference when it comes to deciding who gets a hardship license and who does not. Therefore, hiring a lawyer can increase your chances of getting hardship relief.

Mass. RMV Lawyers is not a government agency or affiliated with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or any DMV. You can reach the suspension section of the Mass. RMV at 857-368-8200 and you can reach the Mass. Board of Appeal at 617-521-7794.

This web site presents general information about Massachusetts RMV Lawyers and it is not intended as legal advice and it should not be considered or relied upon as such. Contacting Mass. RMV Lawyers by email or telephone will not establish an attorney-client relationship, which can only be established through mutual agreement and with written communication of the legal fee and terms of representation. Absent current confirmation of engagement, any information or documents transmitted by you to us will not be treated as confidential, secret, or protected in any way. The contents of this web site is considered attorney advertising and Attorney Brian E. Simoneau is responsible for its content. Mass. RMV Lawyers is not a state agency or affiliated with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. We are private practice attorneys who assist clients with Massachusetts License Reinstatement and Hardship License cases. If you are attempting to reach the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Driver Control Unit (Suspension Department), you can call the RMV at 857-368-8200. You can reach the Board of Appeal of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance at (617) 521-7794.